Christchurch shootings: First funerals for victims of mosque assaults

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The burials have been delayed due to the identification course of

The primary funerals are happening for victims of the New Zealand mosque shootings that left 50 individuals lifeless.

Volunteers have descended on Christchurch to help with the burial course of and help victims’ households.

Islamic custom requires our bodies to be buried as quickly as doable, however the burials have been delayed by the size of the identification course of.

Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, a self-described white supremacist, has been charged with homicide.

Christchurch metropolis officers issued strict steering to the media forward of Wednesday’s funerals and requested that the households be left alone.

“The physique shall be introduced on web site, taken to a personal marquee that has been arrange as a household space,” a council spokeswoman stated.

“After a short while for prayers, household and buddies will carry the physique to the grave web site the place it is going to be laid to relaxation,” she added.

What are the newest developments?

Police on Wednesday named six of the victims of the shootings on the Al Noor mosque. Commissioner Mike Bush stated 21 our bodies had been formally recognized and launched to households. All 50 autopsy examinations had been full, police stated.